We plan to follow up another phone call to First National Bank Building today in hopes an employee there can shed more light on whether the stretch of skyway in question is public, private, or some hybrid of the two, so stay tuned.

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From my years in downtown Mpls I know some buildings closed access to the skyway in the evening, whenever they wanted. Private thoroughfares through buildings must be secure, however, the lack of a consistent policy leaves the public confused. What appears to be public should be clearly labeled as private, and accessible hours should be posted, as well as any other rules.

This. Being open to the public , you have to consent to the right of way of the public. Once you understand "public right of way" you will understand that what cops did to this man was for the most part illegal and this is why charges had to be dropped.

Uh, these things go through privately owned buildings. If some owner wants to shut 'er down they are well within their rights unless the city has bought or leased this space. Go the Frick outside people.]

Correct answer is both. Beyond that, open to the public and owned by the public are different things as well. A privately owned business space is not a house -- by inviting foot traffic, you're agreeing to abide by certain public codes -- safety, smoking bans, civil rights, etc. No doubt many businesses could close off access via skyway legally, but it's not likely to happen because they derive benefit from the public access and all that comes with it.

If you say so. You are one of these people that no matter what someone says it wrong as long as it disagrees with your views. Just wonder if it were a white person that was tazed where you would be. No where to be found I am sure because it isn't the thing to do.

Look at the heading of the City Pages post. That's what I am commenting on. Don't attribute my comments on one thing to another. And don't presume to know my feelings regarding people of color when I made no mention of people of color until you brought it into the discussion.

This whole topic of discussion has came about because of the way Chris Lollie was treated while he was waiting for his kids. So either you have lost track of what this discussion is supposed to be about or you are hiding your feelings about black people behind false pretense.

The city has the responsibility to ensure the general safety of the public. The SPPD does an excellent job dealing with all types of situations and people. Many people who work downtown don't leave until late and have the right to a safe passage to their vehicles.

There are some groups of people, feral youth, who seem to feel that they have a right to hang around street corners and bustops and skyways harrassing hardworking people. Some even physically assult them and hold them up.

Sometimes the SPPD has to act in a manner most of us find somewhat invasive and aggressive but they have to. They are not babysitters or social workers. Simple cooperation will ensure a quick resolution of their attention

Correct. Just because you are allowed to use them does not mean that they are public walkways. Some skyway routes transverse directly through stores and at the close of business the gate comes down. Walk over.

See that river right by Downtown Minneapolis? Almost anything east of that river, the skyways are publicly owned. Almost anything west of that river, the skyways are privately owned.

The only exception to that rule of thumb is this little street called "Emerald Street" that's east of the Mississippi. Any skyways that are west of Emerald Street are privately owned. Any skyways east of Emerald Street are publicly owned.